Coursework: Print brief research and planning

Print

Create a front cover and a three-page feature article for a fictional TV listings magazine. The front cover will feature a full-page image to promote the crime drama. You can choose your approach for the three-page feature article. For example: 

• an interview with the writer of the programme or cast member
• an article on the popularity of the genre
• a report from 'behind the scenes'
• another approach of your choice.

What are the minimum requirements?

TV magazine front cover 

• A4 portrait size
• Title / masthead
• Selling line (slogan)
• Cover price
• Dateline
• Main cover image and at least two further smaller images related to the content of the magazine
• At least five cover lines

Inside page feature

• Three A4 portrait pages (two of the pages can be A3 landscape size to create a double-page spread if you wish)
• Content that is appropriate to the conventions of the genre of magazine being created
• Original copy (at least 400 words) - this means writing your own article
• Each page to use original images as illustrations (the main cover image must not be repeated but the smaller images from the front cover can appear on internal pages)
• Internal pages should reflect the design codes and conventions of the genre of magazine being created

Across all pages - minimum requirements

• A clear house style should be used in the presentation of all pages
• A minimum of seven original images should be included in the submission
• All copy should be original and a minimum of 400 words should be submitted - you MUST write this all yourself from scratch
• Work should be presented on pages that are an appropriate size or in proportion to the size of paper used by magazines

Research and planning blog tasks

Create a blogpost called 'Print brief research and planning' and complete the following tasks to plan and prepare your print work.

Front cover

1) Research TV listing magazine front cover key conventions. Find at least five examples of TV listings magazine front covers and post them to your blog. This will give you a good idea of the type of magazine you need to produce.

2) Note down the design elements you notice in each front cover example you research and look for aspects you can use in your own work (e.g. camera shots, page design or cover lines). 

1) Main character covering the heading

2) Adverts on the side or bottom

3) Minimum colours for some

4) Dark atmosphere for crime TV shows

5) Name of drama bold in the front

6) Medium close of the main character ensuring facial expressions and features being captured

7) Can be multiple people in the front cover

8) Most magazines are bright and colourful containing yellow to attract customers

3) What key conventions can you find across different types of front cover - e.g. title placement, cover lines, main flash or cover line, date/price/barcode etc.
1) The title is always in bold and at the top

2) The cover like are at the left hand side

3) Barcode is sometimes visible at the front of the cover

4) Date, Price is always seen 

5) Lots of text however very clear and understandable with contrasting colours being used

Here are a few examples to start you off: 

Inside page feature

1) Now research inside page features from TV listings magazines. Post at least five images of magazine inside page features (they can be from different magazine genres if you are struggling to find TV listings magazine inside pages).

               

Here are some examples of inside page features:

2) Note down the design elements you notice in each inside page feature example you research and look for aspects you can use in your own work (e.g. use of main/secondary images, page design, pull quotes, picture captions etc.) 

1) Multiple Images can be seen some covering a half a page

2) Designed to spread across over two pages

3) Captions near images 

4) A large first letter

5) Columns 

  

3) What key conventions can you find across different types of inside page feature - e.g. headline, subheading, main image etc

1) The heading is always on top of the image

2) Main imagine is usually very large at least taking one page 

3) there’s always subheading above text.

4) Main image always takes up most the page

Planning and sketching

1) Plan the content and cover lines for your front cover:

• Title (must be NEW original TV listings magazine you have invented) and Slogan:  

Cinescope : Tvs finest picks

Flick frame: A Kaleidoscope of TV delights

CineCraze: Unveiling Tvs Tapestry

VisionVault: Your weekly Tv Explorer

JourneyView: Charting Tvs delightful paths

• Cover image: Main character 
• Main cover story/main flash: Intuition
• Additional cover lines:

1. Discover Hidden Gems: Our Top TV Picks Revealed!"
2. "TV Tech: The Future of Entertainment Explored"
3. "Epic Season Finales – Get Ready for the Drama!"
4. "TV Rewind: Nostalgic Journeys through Classic Episodes"
5. "TV's Rising Talents: Faces to Watch Out For!"
6. "Binge-Worthy Series That'll Keep You Glued"
7. Exclusive Interviews with TV's Brightest Stars!"

• Additional two smaller images: Of another character and a significant prop 
• Font style / colour scheme, additional design aspects: 

Dark background

All three key characters

Shattered glass 

Sparks of fire or an orange glow edited in

2) Plan the images you will use for the front cover - use CLAMPS. One main image and two smaller images required to meet the minimum content in the brief.

• Images of other characters posing
• A tipped over prescription - prop
•  A over the should pose of the main character

3) Plan the content for your inside page feature:

• Subject of feature: My main character - Anu
• Headline:  From Struggles to success
• Subheading: An inspiring Journey of a trailblazing character in the crime drama industry
• Main image: main character standing alone 
• Smaller images (need minimum of four across the three pages)  other characters
• Font style / colour scheme, additional design aspects: dark and grey - Helvetian font style

4) Write the copy (words) you will use for the inside page feature - headline, subheading, article text. 

Interview Feature: Breaking Barriers and Redefining Representation with [Rathusa Mohan]

In an industry often dominated by stereotypes and limited opportunities, Rathusa Mohan  stands out as a symbol of hope. This South Asian artist is making waves in the world of crime dramas with a passion for conveying real stories and a will to break down barriers. Join us as we delve into Rathusa Mohans's journey, struggles, and triumphs,achievements  and how she's reshaping the landscape of representation in Hollywood.

Interviewer: We appreciate you coming along today, Rathusa. Let us begin at the beginning . Why did you choose to pursue a career as an actor, specifically for crime dramas?

Rathusa Mohan: I appreciate being here. I was enthralled with storytelling as a child because of its capacity to elicit feelings and stimulate the mind. I've always been captivated by crime dramas because of their fascinating characters and complex stories. I saw them as a platform to explore social issues and human psychology in a compelling way, and I knew I wanted to be a part of that world.

Interviewer: What obstacles did you have to overcome as a South Asian artist to get recognition in the industry?

Rathusa Mohan: It hasn't been an easy path. Like many other South Asian artists, I had to deal with prejudice and little prospects. It might be depressing to see how little diversity and representation there is in mainstream media. To prove myself and dispel misconceptions about what a South Asian actor could and couldn't do, I had to put in twice as much effort. However, I resisted letting those constraints define me. I became determined to forge my own path but each obstacle has only strengthened my resolve to challenge the status quo.

Interviewer: Could you share your personal experience with mental health and how it links to the crime dramas you work on?

Rathusa Mohan: I have personally encountered the stigma attached to mental health, which is still taboo in many South Asian cultures. I had anxiety and depression as a child, but I felt compelled to conceal my troubles due to the stigma associated with mental illness. But as I started exploring parts in crime dramas, I discovered a chance to address these concerns directly. Crime dramas frequently examine the most dangerous facets of human psychology, such as addiction, trauma, and mental disorders. I've been able to draw on my personal experiences and highlight the significance of my character.

Interviewer: Themes of representation and identity are recurring throughout your work. Could you explain how your cultural upbringing influences the way you play Anu in Intuition ?

Rathusa Mohan: Indeed. My ethnic background is an essential component of who I am and will always have an impact on how I approach work. I use my personal experiences and the experiences of others in my community as a basis for realism when I play Anu . I work diligently to make sure that Anu appears rooted in reality, whether that means delving into the nuances of language or investigating the complexities of ethnic identity. I also break boundaries and dispel stereotypes in order to highlight the richness and variety of South Asian identities.

The interviewer: Last but not least, what guidance would you provide to any budding South Asian artists aiming to make a name for themselves in the entertainment industry?

Rathusa Mohan : Remain loyal to who you are and what you envision, is my piece of advice. Don't allow anyone else to limit your potential or define who you are. Never give up on your dreams; instead, be tenacious and resilient. Embrace a network of mentors, collaborators, and fellow artists who are supportive of your abilities. And never forget that each setback is only another step towards achievement. Have the energy!  Keep pushing forward, and you'll eventually break down those barriers and make your mark on the industry.

Rathusa Mohan is paving the way for South Asian representation in crime dramas and other media by working relentlessly and sincerely. As we applaud her accomplishments and appreciate her dedication, we are reminded of the ability of a story to subvert stereotypes and spur social change. As a ray of optimism and promise, Rathusa Mohan shines brilliantly in a world that is ravenous for different voices.

5) Plan the social media content you will include in your print work to create opportunities for digital convergence e.g. hashtags, social media details etc.

• #South Asian 
• # Representation matters
• #Breaking Stigma

6) Research and select the font or typography you will use for your print work. This is a critical element of your print work - the brief requires a consistent house style running through all of your pages. 

7) Produce an A4 sketch of your front cover design and scan it/upload a picture to your blog.

 

8) Produce A4 sketches of your inside page feature with clear layout of where headline, subheading, images and text will appear on the pages. 

 

9) Create a new A4 portrait document in Adobe Photoshop (or Adobe InDesign) for your front cover design. Start to add text, check your font choices and put in the elements you have already planned/sketched. 

10) Create an A3 landscape document plus an A4 portrait document in Adobe Photoshop (or Adobe InDesign) for your inside page feature. Add the elements you can - headline, subheading, text etc.

OR

Photo shoot

1) Who do you need to photograph for your front cover and inside page images? Remember, you need seven original images across the whole print production. 

All my characters/actors

2) What camera shots do you need? Write a shot list for your photoshoots. Make sure you plan a variety of camera shots you will look to capture - medium shots, close-ups etc.

• Medium close up of all three characters 
• Long shot of main character standing alone
• Extreme close up of features like eyes
• Closeup of other characters

3) Plan the mise-en-scene. What costume, props or make-up will you require for your photo shoots?

• Normal teenage clothing like a hoodie or denim with a t-shirt
• Basic makeup
• police tape as prop

4) Finally, note down the time and date for your photo shoots. This may be inside or outside school (or a combination of both). You will have Media lesson time for this after the mock exams.

• 21/02/24
• In class

Statement of Intent

1) Once you have completed your print research and planning, go back to your statement of intent and make sure you have included the print brief in your final draft. Then, submit the final draft statement of intent to your teacher.  

Magazine

• Magazine : VisionVault
• Based in United Kingdom

My magazine cover will have a central image of the main character taken in a dimly lighted setting. Its will also have darker colour schemes so the protagonist stands out. It will contain two smaller images of other characters and key props that relate to the narrative. The magazine will have convention accepts like: dateline, selling price and the title. However still trying to maintain the simplicity. There would be an interview with the main character exploring their ethnicity and mental health how it has shaped them as a person today.

Crime Drama

• TV drama: Intuition
• Tag line:  When everyone is against you, trust your intuition.
• Genre: Crime drama
• Streaming service: Netflix
• 10 episodes

Concept/ Media Language

Intuition is about a young girl who is trying to figure out who killed her best friend while everything and everyone is conspiring against her while a string of truth begins to unravel. This will appear in season one of the last episode leaving the story on a cliff hanger intriguing the audience ask questions and eagerly wait for season two.

Locations:

• The bus stop - opposite to the the bus stop the friend died at
• In side a building - a building with little human activity and a elevator will communicate the essential elements of a crime drama and create an eerie, uneasy feeling that is vital to the narrative.

Shots:

• Close ups to communicate facial expressions clearly.
• 360 degree shot with a flashback
• .POV shots will be used when there is a stalking scene
• Tracking shots will used when Anu moves from one location to another.

Sound:

• Dialogue segments used to convey narrative by means of diegetic sound
• Non diegetic sound - eerie music

Audience

My target audience are people above the age of twelve who fit into the category of upper middle class and working. Mainly aimed at people who have a passion for crime drama and movies that boosts adrenaline due to its suspense and mystery like Luther and Breaking Bad.

Through Uses of Gratifications theory I have achieved to use three categories: Diversion - will help the audience escape from their everyday problems by watching the engaging series, Personal relationship - the protagonist deals with many issues in the episode and the audience may feel sympathy therefore developing affection for the character and Personal identification - audiences might see themselves reflected in the main character as she faces many hurdles like depression, not being heard and feeling lonely relating to teenagers. My crime drama is perfectly suited for today's audience because it tackles relevant and thought-provoking themes that resonate with people's lives. By exploring the complexities of crime, justice, and human nature, my story provides a captivating and immersive experience that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. Additionally, my crime drama shines a light on the importance of empathy, understanding, and the consequences of our actions, which are all topics that are highly relevant in today's society.

  

Representation

My crime drama will definitely challenge stereotypes of mental health like depression and anxiety. The assumption that people who suffer from anxiety and depression can't stand up for themselves will be subverted and brings light to how most teenagers suffer without it and usually don't reach out for help. However in Intuition the main character will be open about their mental health and fights the obstacle to find out the truth. A South Asian lead would be my protagonist and she would symbolise the challenges and hurdles the community encounters. This is an excellent chance to draw viewers of all backgrounds and ages because there hasn't been much light on the South Asian population.

In Van Zoonen's theory she explores how women are typically objectified or presented to reinforce western beauty ideals like: slim, white and young. Taking this into consideration I have decided to make my main character female and Asian weakening the ideology of women being seen as "the hero's possession" as gender representations communication their meanings to audience.  Another theorist I reflected on whilst developing my narrative was David Gauntlett as he talks about how the media and audiences changing over time particularly on identity issues. Audiences beliefs are slowly changing and I want my series to be part of the movement and transformation.

Media industries and Digital Convergence

The show will be broadcast on Netflix, as the channel is known for airing a diverse range on series and shows. Netflix allows me to be able to reach a large target audience of teenagers and the south Asian community. My Tv drama will have its own Instagram and Twitter page where short clips of interviews, games with the actors and trailers for the upcoming seasons.

In order to encourage viewers to discuss the show online, the magazine will include hashtags such as: "#South Asian ,# Representation matters,#Breaking Stigma," which will be used on a variety of social media sites. This will allow viewers to live tweet the show and tag the makers in any online discussions about it and create anticipation for it before its official release.